Crofton ferry terminal redevelopment concepts in the works

The public got its first look Monday at draft concepts compiled by BC Ferries for redevelopment of the Crofton ferry terminal.

BC Ferries personnel was on hand at the Crofton Community Centre for a community ideas fair to hear and receive feedback from citizens and answer questions.

“We’re starting the process for a long-term master plan for the terminal,” explained Brian Green, terminal development manager for BC Ferries.

Key stakeholders like the Municipality of North Cowichan and Catalyst Crofton have already been consulted to identify key issues and improvements for the terminal.

A card handed out at the session reads “great terminals are the result of careful planning, financial investment and thoughtful design.”

BC Ferries is looking for thoughts on the key issues and opportunities for the terminal. This involves everything from additional green spaces, revamped lane formations beyond the ticket booth, a new or expanded ferry trestle to the ship on the Crofton to Vesuvius (Salt Spring) route, a long-term parking lot and much more.

People at the session provided their thoughts directly to BC Ferries staff, but others can still send comments via email to tdpinfo@bcferries.com and more information is available at https://www.bcferries.com/about/publicconsultation2/terminal-development-planning/crofton.html that pertains directly to the Crofton terminal. The page will be updated with key themes brought up during the engagement process.

The design needs to be multi-faceted to bring the terminal up to today’s required standards and also because other landowners are involved.

“BC Ferries doesn’t own any land other than the trestle and up to the ticket booth,” Green indicated.

The trestle or dock leading to the ferry is a major component of the redevelopment.

“That’s reaching the end of its life,” Green conceded. “Its life span has been extended a number of times.”

The terminal’s location lends itself to endless possibilities, he added.

“It’s quite unique, it’s in a town setting as well,” Green said. “Therefore, how do we integrate the trestle so it can also benefit the town?”

Of the four primary design concepts currently devised, he expects different aspects from each of those will be taken into account before a final plan is formulated.

“We’ll come back to the community and stakeholders in June,” Green said.

“We’ll take some feedback from this event to refine the four concepts down to a couple.”

Other changes pertaining to the route are also in the works. The Howe Sound Queen is going out of service June 1 and replaced by the MV Quinitsa on a temporary basis for about two years.

The eventual plan is to have the MV Quinsam in service between Crofton and Salt Spring. It’s currently operating on the Nanaimo Harbour to Gabriola Island route.